Hatley chosen as '89er Parade grand marshal

Recently retired city clerk Mary Hatley has been selected as grand marshal for this year's Norman '89er Day Parade, planned for 10 a.m. April 19.

"I was very surprised, very surprised," Hatley said, when Al Loeffelholz, chairman of the selection committee, called her. "I'm not speechless very often."

Loeffelholz said it was easy to get a consensus for Hatley, who was chosen out of a field of about five strong candidates. He cited her four decades of service to the citizens of the City of Norman.

"We felt like she was very deserving of the honor," Loeffelhotz said. "She is a very humble, hardworking and dedicated person."

Loeffelhotz served on the selection committee with former mayors Bob Thompson and Dick Reynolds, John Marsh and the late O.T. McCall.

Hatley worked for the City of Norman for 41 years, with the last 32 as city clerk. She retired in January.

Reynolds, mayor from 1986 to 1992, called Hatley the "glue who held that place together," shortly before Hatley's retirement.

Hatley worked with 10 mayors, nine city managers and 84 councilmembers.

She went to work at the age of 25 for the City of Norman in the Parks and Recreation Department. She called it "a job (she) thoroughly loved."

Hatley assisted in getting the Westwood Golf Course opened and from Westwood went to the city manager's office where she was promoted to city clerk.

The parade theme will be "Our Next Hundred Years."

The route starts at Norman High School and proceeds east down Main Street to Crawford Avenue. The parade will feature bands, floats, flags, clowns, horses, vintage tractors and wagons with young and old participants.

Parade entries are being taken and there are no fees to participate. All divisions will be judged. First place trophies, and certificates for second and third place will be awarded.

Entries must be received by mail at P.O. Box 6587, Norman, OK 73070 or via fax by 5 p.m. April 11.

The '89er Wagon Train Association will arrive in town the Friday afternoon before the parade at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St. Plans are being made to kick off the '89er weekend with the wagon train's arrival.

"We are going to try to make it an entire weekend," said Sean Crandall, parade co-chair with Charles Hollingsworth.

Other members of the parade committee are Brinda Thomas, David Donaldson, Deidra Peters, Don Mayes, Gina Mitchell, Jim Keesee, Kristopher Boyd, Lorie Thrower, Mary Jo Tinsley, Michelle Linnemann, Mike Pullin, Sandy Dunaway, Vera Taylor and Wanda Danley.

More information on the parade is available at www.norman89.com or by calling 217-9611 or e-mailing 89erInfo@cox.net.